Power sourcing unit for power over ethernet system

ABSTRACT

A power sourcing unit for a power over ethernet system. The unit includes a chassis with a power supply guide and a CPU guide, and a power supply including a power supply connector. The unit also includes a printed circuit board including first and second connectors and being coupled to a plurality of RJ-45 jacks, and a CPU line card including a CPU connector. The power supply guide engages the power supply to allow the power supply to be slid into and out of the unit to couple the power supply connector to the first connector of the printed circuit board. The CPU guide engages the CPU line card to allow the CPU line card to be slid into and out of the unit to couple the CPU connector to the second connector of the printed circuit board. The CPU line card allows the unit to be coupled to a network. Multiple power sourcing units can be daisy-chained together.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to systems and methods for thedistribution of data and power over a local area network, and, moreparticularly, to power over ethernet power sourcing units.

BACKGROUND

Interest in power over ethernet technology has increased with theadoption of the power over ethernet IEEE 802.3af standard in June of2003. Generally, power over ethernet technology allows standard ethernetcables to carry not only data signals, but also power to the devicesconnected to the cables. In this manner, power can be provided by theethernet cable itself, rather than requiring a separate source of powerfor the connected devices.

The standard requires a power sourcing unit, which supplies up to 15.4watts of power (at 48 volts) to a powered device. The standard utilizespins 1/2 and 3/6, or pins 4/5 and 7/8, of the eight-pin ethernet cablefor both data and power transfer. To avoid damaging non-compliantdevices that may be connected to the power over ethernet system, thestandard specifies a method for detecting compliant devices by applyinga small, current-limited voltage to check for the presence of a 25 k ohmimpedance in the connected device. Only if the power sourcing unitdetects this impedance is the full 48 volts applied.

There are many potential applications for power over ethernettechnology. For example, wireless access points can be placed at desiredlocations throughout a building without requiring a separate source ofpower. Another potential application includes internet protocol (IP)telephones, for which a central power supply with a backup uninterruptedpower supply (UPS) is desirable. Other applications for which thistechnology may be desirable include IP cameras, security badge readers,etc.

The advantages associated with power over ethernet technology caninclude: reduced cabling costs, because both power and data are providedover a single ethernet cable; increased reliability, because acentralized power source can utilize an UPS to guarantee uninterruptedpower to all powered devices; and increased network management, to allowpowered devices to be monitored and controlled remotely.

It is desirable to provide enhanced functionality for the power sourcingunits of power over ethernet systems.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methodsfor the distribution of data signals and power over a local areanetwork, and, more particularly, to power over ethernet power sourcingunits.

In one embodiment, a power sourcing unit includes a chassis, a pluralityof jacks, a printed circuit board, and a removable power supply. In oneembodiment, the unit also includes a removable CPU line card that allowsthe unit to be connected to a network.

In one embodiment, the power supply and the CPU line card are removablefrom the power sourcing unit without requiring a cover of the unit to beremoved.

In some embodiments, multiple power sourcing units can be daisy-chainedtogether.

The above summary of embodiments made in accordance with the presentinvention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or everyimplementation of the present invention. The figures and the detaileddescription that follow more particularly exemplify embodiments of theinvention. While certain embodiments will be illustrated and described,the invention is not limited to use in such embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example power sourcing unit ofa power over ethernet system.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the power sourcing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the power sourcing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the power sourcing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the power sourcing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the power sourcing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the power sourcing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the power sourcing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the power sourcing unit of FIG. 1with some components shown in exploded form.

FIG. 10 is a back perspective view of the power sourcing unit of FIG. 1with some components shown in exploded form.

FIG. 11 is a back view of the power sourcing unit of FIG. 1 with somecomponents removed.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of the powersourcing unit of FIG. 3 with some components removed.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of example internal components ofthe power sourcing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an example circuit board of thepower sourcing unit of FIG. 13 with some components shown in explodedform.

FIG. 15 is a back perspective view of the circuit board of FIG. 14 withsome components shown in exploded form.

FIG. 15A is a schematic view of example components mounted on thecircuit board of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a top view of an example CPU line card of the internalcomponents of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a back perspective view of the CPU line card of FIG. 16 withsome components shown in exploded form.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of another example power sourcingunit of a power over ethernet system with some components shown inexploded form.

FIG. 19 is another front perspective view of the power sourcing unit ofFIG. 18 with some components shown in exploded form.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of a circuit board of the powersourcing unit of FIG. 18 with some components shown in exploded form.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of an example power over ethernet systemincluding a power sourcing unit.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of another example power over ethernetsystem including a plurality of interconnected power sourcing units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methodsfor the distribution of data signals and power over a local areanetwork, and, more particularly, to power over ethernet power sourcingunits. Example embodiments illustrated herein are power sourcing unitsmade in compliance with the IEEE Std. 802.3af™-2003, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The power sourcingunits described herein are configured to deliver both data signals andpower over an ethernet cable to a powered device.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, an example embodiment of a power sourcingunit 100 of a power over ethernet system is shown. The unit 100generally includes a chassis 105 and a cover 110 that is removablycoupled to the chassis 105. Also included are brackets 115 that can beused to couple the unit 100 to, for example, a rack. In the exampleembodiment, the chassis 105 and cover 110 are made of metal.

A front surface 120 of the chassis 110 includes a plurality of apertures122, 124, and 126 that are sized to accept a plurality of port modules128, each including a plurality of jacks 129. In the example shown inFIGS. 1-8, the unit 100 includes three port modules 128, each portmodule 128 including sixteen (16) jacks 129. More or fewer port modules128 can be provided, as described further below.

In the example shown, each of the jacks 129 of the port module 128 is anRJ-45 jack. The jacks 129 in each port module 128 are arrangedvertically in pairs so that an ethernet cable carrying a data signalfrom, for example, an ethernet switch can be coupled to a lower jack129, and an ethernet cable to, for example, a powered device can becoupled to the corresponding upper jack 129 to carry the data signal andpower from the unit 100 to a powered device. See FIG. 21 describedbelow. An LED 131 positioned below each pair of jacks 129 indicatespower for that pair of jacks 129.

Also included on the front surface 120 of the chassis 105 are a COM-inport 130 and a COM-out port 132. In the example shown, the COM-in port130 and the COM-out port 132 are each standard D-sub 9 pin connectors.As described further below with reference to FIG. 22, the COM-in port130 and the COM-out port 132 can be used to couple multiple units 100together.

As shown, for example, at FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 8, the cover 110 includesslots 107 and 109 formed therein. The slots 107 and 109 are positionedto cover apertures 162 and 164 in chassis 105 (see FIG. 9). Heatgenerated within the unit 100 can be dissipated through the apertures162, 164 and the slots 107, 109. For example, one or more fansassociated with a power supply 210 (described further below) in the unit100 can move air through the apertures 162, 164 and the slots 107, 109of unit 100 to dissipate heat generated therein.

A back surface 140 of the unit 100 includes a power supply cover 142 anda CPU cover 144. The power supply cover 142 includes an aperture 147 toallow a power cord to be plugged into the unit 100 to power on the unit100. In optional embodiments, the power supply cover 142 also includesan aperture 148 for receipt of a switch, such as a toggle switch, usedto turn the unit 100 on and off. In the illustrated embodiment, thepower supply cover 142 and the CPU cover 144 extend substantially anentire width of and cover the back surface 140 of the unit 100.

The CPU cover 144 includes an aperture 154 for a port 150 of a CPU linecard 410. In addition, the CPU cover 144 includes an aperture 152 for anLED to indicate power to the CPU line card 410, as well as an aperture154 for an LED to indicate network connectivity for the CPU line card410. The CPU line card 410 is described further below with reference toFIGS. 16 and 17.

A plurality of fasteners 146 are used to couple the power supply cover142 and the CPU cover 144 to the chassis 105 of the unit 100. Thefasteners 146 are configured to allow either the power supply cover 142or the CPU cover 144 to be independently removed from the chassis 105.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-17, the internal components of the unit 100 areillustrated. Unit 100 generally includes power supply 210, a printedcircuit board 310, and an optional CPU line card 410.

The power supply 210, which is coupled to power supply cover 142,converts an alternating current (AC) power source to direct current (DC)to power the unit 100 and any powered devices coupled to the unit 100.In the example, the power supply 210 is a power supply with product no.DS625-9-401 manufactured by Astec Power of Carlsbad, Calif. In theexample embodiment, the power supply 210 converts the AC power source toprovide 48 volts DC to the printed circuit board 310. The power supply210 includes a connector 215 that mates with a connector 315 mounted onthe printed circuit board 310 to couple the power supply 210 to theprinted circuit board 310. In the example shown, connector 215 is a portand connector 315 is a plug, although in alternative embodiments thelocations of the port and plug can be interchanged.

The example power supply 210 includes slots 212, 214 running the depthof the supply 210. The slots 212, 214 correspond to guide pins 172coupled to a bottom surface of the chassis 105. The power supply 210 canbe slid into the unit 100 (see FIG. 10) by placing the power supply 210into a cavity 174 formed between the chassis 105 and cover 110 at theback surface 140, and sliding the power supply 210 in a direction A sothat the slots 212, 214 ride along the guide pins 172 until theconnector 215 accepts connector 315 of the printed circuit board 310.Guide posts 316 on connector 315 (see FIG. 15) further guide theconnector 315 into the connector 215. The fasteners 146 on the powersupply cover 142 can then be tightened to lock the power supply 210 intoplace in the unit 100.

The power supply 210 can likewise be removed from the unit 100 byloosening the fasteners 146 and sliding the power supply 210 out of thecavity 174 in a direction opposite to that of direction A. The same or adifferent power supply 210 can then be placed into the cavity 174 asdescribed above. In this manner, the power supply 210 is removable fromthe unit 100 without requiring the cover 110 to be removed from thechassis 105.

The printed circuit board 310 includes a plurality of logic componentsand a plurality of tracings etched thereon to electrically connect thevarious components mounted on the circuit board 310. Components on theprinted circuit board 310 are powered through the conversion of the 48volts DC provided by the power supply 210 to approximately 3.3 volts DC.In addition, the printed circuit board 310 delivers up to 48 volts DC toeach jack 129 in each port module 128 that is connected to a powereddevice.

The printed circuit board 310 includes connector 315, port modules 128,and a COM module 134 including COM-in port 130 and COM-out port 132mounted thereon. The printed circuit board 310 also includes a connector317 for mating with a connector 415 of CPU line card 410.

Referring now to FIG. 15A, the interconnection of example componentsmounted on printed circuit board 310 is shown. Generally, an 8-bitmicrocontroller 192 processes and controls other components on theprinted circuit board 310 and, for example, communicates with powersupply 210 and CPU line card 410, if present. In addition, a CPLD 194functions to control various aspects of the unit 100 such as, forexample, various LEDs and multiplex serial communication signals to theCPU line card 410 and microcontroller 192.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, CPU line card 410 is illustrated ingreater detail. Generally, CPU line card 410 allows unit 100 to becoupled to a network. For example, CPU line card 410 can be configuredwith an IP address on a network. The CPU line card 410 facilitatescommunication between the unit 100 and remote devices on the network. Inthe embodiment shown, the CPU line card 410 can forward statisticsassociated with the unit 100 to devices on the network, as well as allowremote access to the unit 100.

In one example, the CPU line card 410 can communicate to a remote deviceon the network when an error condition occurs, such as a failed jack 129in a module 128. The remote device can then reconfigure the unit 100 by,for example, shutting down the failed jack 129 and/or turning on one ormore additional jacks 129.

In the illustrated example, the CPU line card 410 includes a printedcircuit board 430 coupled to the CPU cover 144. The printed circuitboard 430 includes connector 415 and port 450 mounted thereto. Connector415 mates with connector 317 on printed circuit board 210 to allowcommunication between the CPU line card 410 and the printed circuitboard 210. Port 450 is visible through aperture 150 of the CPU cover 144and accepts an ethernet plug of an ethernet cable to connect the CPUline card 410 to, for example, the network.

In the example shown, the CPU line card 410 can be inserted into andremoved from the unit 100 without requiring removal of the cover 110.Specifically, to insert the CPU line card 410 into the unit 100, the CPUline card 410 is inserted in the direction A into a cavity 178 formedbetween the chassis 105 and cover 110 in the back surface 140 of theunit 100. See FIG. 9. Once inserted into the cavity 178, non-conductiveCPU guide railways 182, 184 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) formed adjacent to thebottom surface of the chassis 105 guide sides 442, 444 of the printedcircuit board 430 of the CPU line card 410 so that the CPU line card 410can be slid in the direction A until connector 415 is coupled toconnector 317 on printed circuit board 310. Fastener 146 on CPU cover144 can then be tightened to couple the CPU line card 410 to the unit100. In a like manner, the CPU line card 410 can be removed from theunit 100 by loosening the fastener 146 and sliding the CPU line card 410in a direction opposite to direction A out of the unit 100.

The unit 100 is configured to recognize when a CPU line card 410 isinserted and/or removed. In one embodiment, the CPU line card 410 can beinserted and removed without requiring the unit 100 to be powered down.

In example embodiments, if the unit does not have a CPU line card 410, adummy cover plate (not shown) can be coupled to the unit 100 to covercavity 178. The dummy cover plate can be configured in a manner similarto that of CPU cover 144, except that the dummy cover plate would notinclude an aperture 154 for port 150.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-20, another embodiment of a power sourcingunit 500 is illustrated. Unit 500 is similar to unit 100 describedabove, except that only a single port module 128 is provided on printedcircuit board 310. Therefore, only aperture 122 includes a port module128. In the example shown, apertures 124, 126 are therefore coveredusing blanks 552 and 554. In addition, an overlay 560 is applied to thefront surface 120 to mask blanks 552, 554. In other embodiments, twoport modules 128 can be provided, and only aperture 126 covered by blank554. In this manner, a different number of port modules 128 andassociated jacks can be provided while maintaining a standard chassissize.

In example embodiments, as shown in FIG. 21, power sourcing unit 100 canbe placed between an ethernet switch 565 and one or more powered devices570 to supply data signals from the ethernet switch 565, as well aspower from unit 100, to the powered device 570.

In addition, more than one power sourcing unit 100 can be used in apower over ethernet system. For example, in FIG. 22, an example powerover ethernet system 600 is illustrated including a plurality of powersourcing units 602, 604, 606, 608, and 610. In the example shown, thepower sourcing units 602, 604, 606, 608, and 610 are daisy-chained toone another by connecting the COM-out port 132 of one unit to the COM-inport 130 of the next unit.

Generally, in one example embodiment, each unit 602, 604, 606, 608, and610 is automatically and uniquely assigned an identification code at thetime of performance of a boot-up routine in each unit, which istypically initiated in sequence for each unit. Each unit 602, 604, 606,608, 610 thereby assigns itself a particular identification code anddirects the next unit to assign itself an identification code differentthan the one assigned to itself (such as one greater than the oneassigned to itself). For example, the CPLD 194 can provide anidentification code to either the CPU line card 410 or themicrocontroller 192. The assigned identification code can be used tocommunicate with a specific unit 602, 604, 606, 608, and 610.

For example, a device can be coupled to the COM-in port 130 of unit 602to serially communicate with any of units 602, 604, 606, 608, or 610.Power sourcing unit 602 includes a CPU line card 410, which facilitatescommunication between a device located remotely on a network and units602, 604, 606, 608, and 610. In this manner, a single IP address can beassigned to a plurality of units 602, 604, 606, 608, and 610 that aredaisy-chained together to allow for remote management of the units 602,604, 606, 608, and 610. In the example shown, a single CPU line card 410can allow up to five units 602, 604, 606, 608, and 610 to becommunicated with remotely.

More or fewer units can daisy-chained together. In addition, the system600 can be periodically polled to identify if additional power sourcingunits have been added or removed from the system. If a power sourcingunit has been added, a unique identification code can be automaticallyassigned to the new unit.

Additional details regarding the daisy-chaining of multiple units can befound in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/308,258, filed on Dec. 2,2002 and entitled “Systems and Methods for Automatic Assignment ofIdentification Codes to Devices,” the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

1. A power sourcing unit for a power over ethernet system, the unitcomprising: a chassis having a front and a rear, the chassis defining apower supply guide and a CPU guide; a power supply including a powersupply connector; a printed circuit board including first and secondconnectors and being coupled to a plurality of jacks at the front; and aCPU line card including a CPU connector; wherein the power supply guideengages the power supply to allow the power supply to be slid into andout of the rear of the unit to couple the power supply connector to thefirst connector of the printed circuit board; and wherein the CPU guideengages the CPU line card to allow the CPU line card to be slid into andout of the rear of the unit to couple the CPU connector to the secondconnector of the printed circuit board.
 2. The unit of claim 1, whereinthe power supply guide includes a plurality of guide pins that engagegrooves defined by the power supply.
 3. The unit of claim 1, wherein theCPU guide includes two railways that guide opposite sides of the CPUline card.
 4. A power over ethernet system including first and secondpower sourcing units, each of the first and second power sourcing unitscomprising: a chassis defining a power supply guide and a CPU guide; apower supply including a power supply connector; a printed circuit boardincluding first and second connectors and being coupled to a pluralityof jacks; a CPU line card including a CPU connector; and a COM-in portand a COM-out port; wherein the power supply guide engages the powersupply to allow the power supply to be slid into and out of the unit tocouple the power supply connector to the first connector of the printedcircuit board; and wherein the CPU guide engages the CPU line card toallow the CPU line card to be slid into and out of the unit to couplethe CPU connector to the second connector of the printed circuit board.5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first power sourcing unit iscoupled to the second power sourcing unit by coupling the COM-out portof the first power sourcing unit to the COM-in port of the second powersourcing unit.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the system includes aplurality of power sourcing units daisy-chained together.
 7. A powersourcing unit for a power over ethernet system, the unit comprising: achassis defining a front, and a back defining a power supply cavity anda CPU card cavity; a power supply including a power supply connector; aprinted circuit board including first and second connectors and beingcoupled to a plurality of jacks; and a CPU line card including a CPUconnector; wherein the plurality of jacks are accessible from the frontof the chassis; and wherein the power supply is configured to be slidinto and out of the power supply cavity at the back of the chassis tocouple and uncouple the power supply connector to the first connector ofthe printed circuit board.
 8. The unit of claim 7, wherein the chassisfurther defines a plurality of guide pins to guide the power supply intoand out of the power supply cavity.
 9. The unit of claim 7, wherein theCPU line card is configured to be slid into and out of the CPU cardcavity at the back of the chassis to couple and uncouple the CPUconnector to the second connector of the printed circuit board.
 10. Theunit of claim 9, wherein the chassis further defines two railways toguide the CPU line card into and out of the CPU card cavity.
 11. Theunit of claim 7, wherein a power supply cover is coupled to the powersupply and a CPU cover is coupled to the CPU line card, and wherein thepower supply cover substantially covers the power supply cavity and theCPU cover substantially covers the CPU card cavity when coupled to thechassis.
 12. The unit of claim 11, wherein the power supply cover andthe CPU cover together substantially cover the rear of the chassis.